EA038271B1 - Flushing assembly, sanitary-ware comprising such assembly and method for flushing a bowl of such sanitary-ware - Google Patents

Abstract

A sanitary-ware is coupled to a mains water supply and includes a flushing assembly including a tank having a first chamber having a first volume and an inlet, and a second chamber having an outlet and a second volume larger than the volume of the first chamber; the inlet coupled to a source of water at high pressure receiving a first quantity of water at an inlet pressure from the source; and a pressure exchange mechanism disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein a first quantity of water in the first chamber causes a second quantity of water in the second chamber larger than the first quantity, to be pushed out of the second chamber through the outlet at a pressure lower than the inlet pressure by the pressure exchange mechanism. Preferably, the source of water at high pressure is a mains water supply.

Description

Technology area

The invention relates, in general, to a sanitary product and, in particular, to simplifying the design and installation of toilet bowls having a drain unit.

Prior art

A toilet is a sanitary device for containing or removing waste products from defecation and urination. In developed countries, various forms of ceramic flush toilets are widely used: in Western countries, toilet bowls with a seat are commonly used, while in East Asia, floor-standing toilets are widely used. In most urban areas, toilets are connected to the sewer system and in less built-up areas with septic tanks.

The standard flush toilet is a glazed ceramic bowl that contains water from the flush water cistern. The water from the toilet bowl enters a hollow, inverted U-shaped drain pipe that is connected to the drain. One side of the U-shaped channel is made in the form of a hollow siphon, the height of which exceeds the height of the water in the bowl. The siphon is connected to the sewerage system. The bottom of the U-shaped inverted drain pipe limits the height of the water in the bowl before it is drained into the drain. The water in the bowl acts as a barrier to the incoming sewer gas and as a receptacle for defecation and urination products. The sewer gas is vented through a ventilation pipe attached to the sewer pipe.

The first flush toilet was reportedly proposed ahead of its time by Sir John Harington in 1596, but the lack of an internal sanitary system in most places of residence has become an obstacle to its widespread use. Two hundred years later, Alexander Cummings added an S-shaped drain to the toilet, namely a flap between the bowl and the drain. Since then, the design and construction materials of toilets have undergone significant changes, however, as usual, the cistern and the toilet bowl are installed in different places. In addition, they are either located at a distance from each other in order to use, as an advantage, the force of gravity to create a cascading effect and are located close to each other in the form of a monoblock for aesthetic reasons, or, alternatively, the cistern is hidden inside the wall to create an aesthetic species.

More recently, the ROCA IN-TANK ™ toilet has a cistern integrated into the toilet bowl body, thereby providing the aesthetic appearance of a concealed cistern without the need for installation and maintenance in a hollow wall space. To integrate the cistern into the toilet bowl body, said IN-TANK ™ requires an electrical connection for the supply of air pressure, based on the technology from patent document US 8615822 (Vargas-1): Compressed air driven toilet flushing system ... and the supply system ambient air into the tank contains a channel for communication with atmospheric air, providing free passage of air between the tank and the external environment when the system for supplying ambient air is off, in order to force water from the tank to the bowl, and a connection at the water inlet for filling the bowl. Thus, while the commercially available IN-TANK ™ toilet eliminates the need for complex installation in order to install the cistern in the hollow space of the wall, it requires an electrical connection and, in addition, the specified source must be located near the mains water supply. The need to use a power supply for the forced passage of ambient air into the tank is appropriately indicated in Vargas-1: wherein the system for supplying ambient air to the tank is driven by the power supply.

US Pat. No. 8,701,220 (Vargas-2) describes a toilet with a cistern built into a toilet bowl and comprising a toilet flushing jet system including a toilet bowl; storage tank; a fluid channel between the reservoir and the toilet bowl; a jet pipe within the reservoir, the jet pipe being provided with a nozzle directed towards the entrance to the fluid passage; a filling valve that supplies water to the spray lance; and a flow diverter in the reservoir, the flow diverter being arranged to deflect the flow of water: (a) from the nozzle of the jet pipe to the inlet of the fluid passageway when the reservoir is filled, or (b) from the nozzle of the jet pipe from the inlet of the fluid passageway and into the reservoir when the reservoir is emptied, and prior to draining (i.e., when the reservoir is full), the flow from the jet tube nozzle is directed directly into the fluid path. This causes the contents of the reservoir to be siphoned into the toilet bowl and the bowl flushed. Although the patent document Vargas-2 does not provide for the use of air pressure through power supply, it uses a water jet system that may be under pressure due to inadequate water pressure in the main system at the installation site, and is also prone to to clogging due to impurities in the water.

In addition, the economical use of water is becoming more and more important. Due to the need to use water economically, double flush toilets have been developed. In a toilet with a double flush, the user can choose from two quantities of water. A drain with a small amount of water is used to remove liquid product, while a drain with a large amount of water, typically twice the small amount of water, is used to remove the solid. It should be borne in mind that the economical use of water includes

- 1 038271 itself as a change in the quantities of water to drain, and the prevention of malfunctions associated with leaks.

It follows from this that there has long been a need for a device and method that simplifies the design, installation and maintenance of a sanitary product, in which the tank is installed in the bowl body, does not require power supply, does not require special re-equipment in relation to the main network at the installation site, and do not have the disadvantages of unreliable or difficult maintenance of the jet system. Thus, it is highly desirable to have a device available that allows different amounts of drainage water to be used.

Disclosure of invention

The invention relates to the design and installation of a toilet bowl, including a cistern and a water tank for flushing, made in such a way that they can occupy an optimal volume in the cavity or space existing between the bowl, on the one hand, and the body, on the other hand, and the liquid inside the container is drained into a bowl by means of a suitably shaped drainage unit, which is operated only by the pressure of the water supply network and acts as a hydraulic pump.

Thus, according to embodiments of the invention, there is provided a sanitary article connected to a plumbing network, the sanitary article including a drain assembly comprising a container having a first chamber of a first volume and an inlet, and a second chamber having an outlet and a second volume greater than the first. cameras; the inlet is connected to a high pressure water source and receives a first amount of inlet pressure water from the source; and a pressure conversion mechanism disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the first amount of water in the first chamber causing the second amount of water in the second chamber and exceeding the first amount of water to be expelled from the second chamber through an outlet under pressure below the inlet pressure by the conversion mechanism pressure. Preferably, the high pressure water source is a plumbing network.

According to several embodiments of the invention, the pressure conversion mechanism is a piston. In other embodiments, the pressure conversion mechanism includes a first and a second rotor axially connected.

According to several embodiments of the invention, the flush assembly includes at least one container comprising a first chamber having a first cross-sectional area and a first volume, connected to a water supply network and configured to receive water from the water supply network; a second chamber holding the drainage water and having a larger cross-sectional area and a larger volume than the first chamber; and outlet for draining; a water tank containing a one-way valve located between the tank and the second chamber for selectively flowing water from the tank to the second chamber, and a drain mechanism driven by water pressure from the water supply network and including a piston installed in a chamber with a larger cross-section of the tank and acting as a barrier between the first chamber and the second chamber, forcing water from the larger chamber of the container to flow out of the drain outlet.

In preferred embodiments, the drain assembly includes two containers.

The invention also provides a method for rinsing a bowl of a sanitary ware associated with a drain assembly, said method comprising the steps of introducing a first volume of pressurized water from a high pressure plumbing network into a first chamber of the drain assembly; applying pressure to a volume of water that exceeds the first volume in the second chamber of the flush assembly with the first volume of water in the first chamber by means of a pressure conversion mechanism; distributing the drainage water at a lower pressure by means of a pressure conversion mechanism from the second chamber of the drain assembly to a bowl for washing the bowl; and refilling the second chamber of the drain assembly with drain water.

According to embodiments of the invention, said method includes the steps of introducing a first volume of water from a water supply network into a first chamber of a container, the first chamber having a first cross-sectional area and a first volume, applying water pressure in the first chamber to a piston installed in the second chamber containers, the second chamber retaining drainage water and having a larger cross-sectional area and a larger volume than the first chamber, distributing lower pressure drainage water from the second chamber of the container through the drain outlet into the bowl rinsing bowl; and refilling the second chamber of the drain assembly with drain water.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and its practical implementation, the following is a description of several options for implementation only as a non-limiting example with reference to the drawings.

fig. 1 is a side view of a sanitary article according to an embodiment, assembled and operating in accordance with the invention;

fig. 2 is a sanitary article of FIG. 1, top view;

fig. 3a shows a mounting panel for the sanitary article of FIG. 1, schematic view in

- 2,038,271 prospect;

fig. 3b shows a piston flush assembly according to the invention for the sanitary ware of FIG. 1, a schematic perspective view;

fig. 4a is a view along arrows A in FIG. 4b;

fig. 4b shows the sanitary ware of FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view along the line BB in FIG. 4a;

fig. 5a shows the sanitary ware of FIG. 1 before draining, a sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 4a;

fig. 5b is a section from FIG. 5a showing an intermediate draining step;

fig. 5c is a spot from FIG. 5a showing the final stage of draining;

fig. 6 is a part of FIG. 5A, an enlarged view;

fig. 7 - sanitary ware before installation on the mounting panel, rear view;

fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line D-D in FIG. 4b;

fig. 9 is a sectional view along the line E-E in FIG. 4b;

fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 4b;

fig. 11 is a schematic view of a water pressure switch according to a preferred embodiment in a first fill / standby position;

fig. 12 - the switch in FIG. 11 in the second drain position (half of the water or all of the water);

fig. 13a is a schematic, side, perspective cutaway view of a sanitary article according to another embodiment, assembled and operated in accordance with the invention;

fig. 13b shows the sanitary ware of FIG. 13a is a schematic rear view;

fig. 14 shows the sanitary ware of FIG. 13a in working position, side sectional view;

fig. 15 shows the sanitary ware of FIG. 13a without cistern, schematic rear view;

fig. 16a is a schematic partial sectional view of a regulator;

fig. 16b is a rear view of a drain assembly according to the invention;

fig. 17 is a bottom perspective cutaway view of a piston drain assembly; and FIG. 18 is a sanitary ware with a siphon according to embodiments of the invention, a schematic cross-sectional side view.

Embodiments of the invention

The following description with reference to embodiments of the invention enables a person skilled in the art to make use of the invention and suggests the best modes of implementing the invention presented by the inventor. However, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the invention have been specifically defined in order to provide an apparatus and method for simplifying the design and installation of a sanitary article containing a waste assembly.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings.

The invention relates to a toilet having a bowl inside a body, including a cistern and a water container with a flush assembly, designed in such a way that they can occupy most of the space between the bowl and the body, and water from the container is drained into the bowl by means of a flush assembly operated only with the high pressure water supply network, preferably by the pressure of the water supply network, using a pressure conversion mechanism. In some embodiments, the flush assembly includes a container having a first chamber of a first volume, a second chamber that is larger than the first chamber, and a pressure conversion mechanism located between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first and second chambers are connected to each other, but need not be in fluid communication between them. Thus, as an option, the first and second chambers can be separated from each other by a pressure conversion mechanism. Preferably, a regulator is provided to direct flow through the drain assembly. Thus, water from the high pressure mains enters the regulator, passes through the switch and manifold (described in detail below), and the manifold directs the water flow along one of a variety of predefined flow paths, for example, into one container, both containers or cistern.

In some embodiments, the pressure conversion mechanism includes a piston located in a second chamber between the first and second chambers. The relatively high pressure of a smaller volume of water in the first chamber coming from the mains forces the piston to move through the second chamber and, in turn, push more water out of the larger chamber. Thus, the higher water pressure in the smaller chamber is distributed over the larger piston surface, which acts on a larger volume of water at a lower pressure. In these embodiments, the large chamber that acts as the cylinder of the piston, as well as the piston, can have virtually any closed cross-section, not just circular.

In other embodiments of the invention, the pressure conversion mechanism includes a container having a first chamber of a first volume and a second chamber of greater volume than the first chamber. In these embodiments, the pressure conversion mechanism further includes a first rotor rotatably mounted in a first chamber and a second rotor of a larger

- 3,038271 diameters mounted for rotation in the second chamber, with the first and second rotors mounted on the same axis. Alternatively, you can use any other mechanism that allows a small amount of water at a relatively high pressure from the water supply network to move more water at a lower pressure.

FIG. 1 and 2 show a toilet, generally designated as pos. (10) assembled and operated in accordance with several embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1 and 2, the toilet (10) includes a body (12) closed by a lid (18). For embodiments where the sanitary article is a bidet, a hot water switch (11) may additionally be provided to turn on a water heater (not shown) that heats the water before it enters the bowl. In the shown embodiment, the body (12) is made integrally with the bowl (16), which includes the known standard siphon (13). Consequently, a horseshoe-shaped cavity is formed with two elongations (14) of an oval-curved shape, which must be equipped with a drainage unit. The drain assembly in these embodiments is a piston drain assembly, which is described in detail below and has an optimal compact design. In this embodiment, the bowl (16) includes a downwardly directed rim (17a) defining an annular channel (17b) on the inside of the bowl (16). Alternatively, you can use a rimless toilet bowl.

FIG. 3a shows a mounting panel, generally designated as Ref. (200), of some embodiments, including a wall plate (29) having a siphon connector (26) extending through said plate for connection to a main drain (not shown). The wall plate (29) additionally has quick connectors (27a, 27b) for water supply pipes passing through said plate and connected to a high pressure water supply, such as a tap water supply pipe (25a).

It is preferable to install a regulator (20), presented as an on / off switch for the amount of water to drain. The regulator (20) can be any suitable standard switch, preferably a hydraulic switch. The regulator (20) is connected to the system with pipes (20a) and (20b) through a transport pipe (25b). The transport pipe (25b) is connected to the pipeline water source through an inlet valve (23) with a pressure reducer. A user interface is provided, for example, one or two control buttons (21), to activate the drain assembly and select the required amount of water for draining by the user.

The wall plate (29) is designed to be attached on one side to the load-bearing wall (see Fig. 1) and has pins (28a, 28b) protruding from the opposite side. These pins are designed to support the mass of the toilet assembly and the user.

The regulator (20) includes a pair of (well known) hydraulic timers (not shown) and a user interface for adjusting the amount of water drained from the piston drain assembly into the bowl, such as a control button (21), so that the user can make a choice. Pressing the control button for a preset time, for example 5 seconds, provides a flow of pressurized water into the smaller chamber, sufficient to drain half the amount of water from the container, while pressing the control button for a long time results in a longer flow of water under pressure, which ensures that the entire amount of water is drained from the container. Alternatively, if necessary, you can provide two buttons for draining the water.

Referring now to FIG. 3b. The drain assembly of this embodiment, generally designated as pos. (300), contains, in general, a saddle-shaped container or tank (35) from which a pair of drainage water tanks departs, each container including a first chamber, shown as a cylindrical body (39) having a first cross-sectional area and a first volume, and a second chamber (34) containing drainage water having a larger cross-sectional area and a larger volume than the first chamber and serving as a housing or cylinder for the piston. A pair of piston housings form a kidney shape. The piston housings are hereinafter referred to as the second chambers (34). Each such second chamber includes a water drainage outlet, described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 5a. The containers fit tightly into the cavity between the body (12) of the toilet and the bowl (16), and thus the flush assembly is generally saddle-shaped. It should be taken into account that this design ensures optimal use of the internal volume of the housing (12).

Recesses (38) are provided on each side of the housing to receive one of the support pins (28a, 28b) protruding outwardly from the wall plate (29). The second container chambers (34) function as cylinders for the pair of pistons (59) shown in FIG. 5a. The pistons (59) are mounted with the possibility of reciprocating movement in the second chambers (34) by means of a compression spring. The first chambers (39) contain mechanisms (57) for retraction of the biasing springs of the pistons (59), as described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5 (a) -5 (c). Alternatively, the pistons can be retracted using magnets or water pressure acting on the second piston within the small bore chamber, or any other suitable mechanism. The tank (35) has a groove (40) that mates with the contour of the siphon when the drain assembly encloses the siphon (as seen in Fig. 8). The tank (35) contains water for filling every second chamber (drain tank) (34) and includes a one-way valve (35b) located between the tank and every second chamber of the tank for

- 4,038271 selective flow of water from the tank to the second chamber (as shown in Fig. 6).

FIG. 4a shows the toilet in FIG. 1 with a piston drain assembly according to the invention, rear view. FIG. 7 shows a rear view before being mounted on a wall plate. FIG. 4a shows a rear view after installation on a wall plate. From the rear, you can see the wall plate (29) with the siphon connector (26) and the quick connectors (27a, 27b) for the water supply pipes. Around this plate, the top of the tank (35), the sides of the body (12) and the lower parts of the second chambers (34) and the siphon (13) are visible. On the rear side of the plate, plate attachment members may be provided for fixing the plate to the wall. In the embodiment shown, the pins (28a) and (28b) also extend through the panel (29) and into the wall and function as panel fastening elements, although, alternatively or in addition, the panel can be fixed to the wall using screws.

FIG. 4b shows the toilet (10) set up for use, a side sectional view. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 4b and in FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line F-F in FIG. 4b. As can be seen, the housing (12) is mounted on the wall plate (29) on pins (28a) and (28b) (not visible). In this embodiment, the tank (35) defines a rear recess, the size and shape of which allows the panel (29) to be accommodated. Thus, the body 12 is supported along the entire length of the plate (29) as well as on the pins (28a) and (28b). The body (12) includes an integral bowl (16) with a siphon (13) extending from its bottom and connected to a connector (26) for a siphon, which passes through the plate (29) and connects the siphon to the main system sewers (not shown) are known per se.

Thus, the drain assembly includes pistons (59) and containers (34), (39). Each of the second chambers (34) contains an outlet for draining the water. The drain assembly also includes a water injection nozzle (60) connected by a tube to a water drain outlet for rinsing the bowl (16). In this embodiment, the water injection nozzle (60) extends into an annular channel (17b) that extends around the inside of the bowl forming a rim, as will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

The sanitary ware drainage system of these embodiments operates as follows. In general, the draining mechanism is driven by pressurized water from the plumbing system entering the first chamber of the containers. The drain assembly includes a piston mounted in a second chamber with a larger cross-section of the container and acting as a barrier between the first chamber and the second chamber, which moves under the action of water pressure in the first chamber of the container, forcing water to move in the second chamber of the container, which is under less pressure. than the water in the first chamber, which is sufficient to displace water from the outlet to drain the water using the piston into the bowl.

FIG. 5a, 5b, 5c and 6 show details of the structure and operation of the drain assembly according to this embodiment. Each piston (59) for draining water moves inside the second chamber (34) of its container, making a reciprocating movement to and from the outlet (64) for draining water. In the design shown, there is no need for a hermetic seal on the inner wall of the housing. A one-way valve (59a) is provided in the piston (59), which allows the piston to be retracted at the end of the draining stage. In this embodiment, the pistons are supported by a hollow bushing assembly (31), as clearly shown in FIG. 5b and 5c. In the present embodiment, the hollow bushing assembly (31) is telescopic in order to save volume. The pistons (59) are spring-loaded with a coil tension spring (57) installed in the first chambers (39) of the containers. It will be appreciated that, alternatively, the spring can connect to and support the piston without the hollow bushing assembly (31). In this embodiment, a coil tension spring (57) surrounds the tube (33) that extends from the float valve (82) through the piston (59) and the entire chamber (58) inside and behind the bushing assembly (31) where it is attached to plug (56).

When the second chamber (34) of the container is full, before draining (Fig. 5a), the user activates the regulator (20) to complete draining or half draining, depending on the situation. When the user presses the control button on the regulator (20), the switch provides water from the water supply network at the first pressure through the transport pipe (25b), the float valve (82), through the pipe (33) and through the hole (52) in the pipe (33) for filling the inner chamber (58) in one or both of the first chambers (39). The pressure or buoyancy of the water in the inner chamber (58) of the first chamber (39) pushes the pistons (59) towards the water drain (64) (Fig.5b), pushing a large volume of water out of the second chambers (34) and draining in just a few seconds. Drainage water flows from the second chambers (34) up the pipe (25d) and into the water injection nozzle (60) for bowl rinsing and removal through the siphon (13) to the siphon connector (26) (see Fig. 4a).

It will be appreciated that the inlet water pressure inside the first chambers (39) is replaced by a lower water pressure in the second chamber (34). However, this lower pressure is still higher than the water pressure in standard toilet flush systems, which depends on the strength of the weight in relation to the flush power.

At the end of the drain cycle (Fig. 5c), the pistons (59) are moved back to the initial standby position (Fig. 5a) due to the force of retraction of the coil tension springs (57). The vacuum created in the second chamber by the retraction of the piston (59) forces the valve (35b) to open, thereby allowing

- 5 038271 water from the tank (35) into the container and fill the second chamber for the next drain. The one-way valve (59a) also opens, allowing water from the first chamber (39) to flow into the second chamber (34) when the piston is retracted to empty the first chamber and allow the piston to return to its original position. When the piston (59) is fully returned to the standby position, the valves (35b) and (59a) are closed. The water trapped in the chamber (58) flows back into the tank (35), while the switch allows the piping water from the transfer pipe (25b) to flow through the inlet (35a) into the tank until the tank is full. The float (80) controls the filling of the tank. When a predetermined level is reached, the float (80) forces the float valve (82) to close to stop the flow of water into the tank. One or more one-way valves (35a) control the flow of water on an actual path and also provide overfill protection in the event of a float valve malfunction. As best shown in FIG. 6, in such cases, pressurized water inside the tank (35) forcibly opens the valves (35a), and water is released (over the partition (37)) into the bowl and further into the drain pipe until the problem is eliminated.

FIG. 11 and 12 show a regulator or switch control system suitable for use in various embodiments of the invention. The specified switch is a switch operating under fluid pressure and made with the possibility of alternating circulation of water from the water source to the drain unit or to the tank. The regulator includes a main cylinder body (92) housing a switch piston (94) connected to a rod (98) and having a plunger (97) capable of reciprocating between an inoperative position, as shown in FIG. 11 and an operating position as shown in FIG. 12. The piston (94) of the switch includes two diametrical channels (94a, 94b) and a diagonal channel (94c). Properly positioned holes are provided in the wall of the cylinder body (92) to allow water to flow through these channels. Thus, in the position in FIG. 11, which corresponds to the standby state or the state O of the system, tap water can flow from the supply line (25a) through the float valve (82), through the diametral channel (94a) with the help of the float (80) into the tank (35). The piston is held in the indicated inoperative position by a coil spring (96). This embodiment of the regulator also provides a user interface for regulating the amount of water drained from the piston drain assembly into the bowl.

After the command to drain is initiated by the drain amount switch in the regulator (20), part of the tap water is directed through the float valve (82) and the switch pipe (83) and enters the upper chamber (93) of the main cylinder body (92). Thus, a high pressure of tap water is applied to the upper side of the plunger, acting on the piston (94) and thus switching it to the position shown in FIG. 12. Now water can flow through the channel (94c), while the channels (94a, 94b) will be blocked. Thus, the water from the supply line (25a) now enters the piston chamber (58) in the first chamber of the waste container, initiating the advancement of the piston (59) through the second chamber and allowing the draining step described above with reference to FIG. 5a, 5b, 5c.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water pressure regulator (23 ') (or the pressure regulator in the valve (23)) at the inlet to the system reduces the tap water pressure, usually 5-10 atm, to a preferred fixed pressure (for example, 1-2 atm), suitable for stable operation of the drain system according to the invention. Alternatively, you can use any other source of water at a suitable fixed pressure.

A particular feature of the invention is that a relatively small amount of water under a controlled relatively low pressure (for example 1-2 ATM) (in relation to the pressure of tap water) is effective for draining a sufficiently large amount of water. The water pressure acting on a small amount of water is replaced by a lower pressure acting on a large body of water as it moves a piston or rotates a rotor to drain the water.

In accordance with the above examples, numerous changes, variations and modifications can be made with respect to the invention. Thus, heating means (denoted as (11) in FIGS. 1 and 9) can be provided to heat the water from the second chamber of the container to a preselected temperature if the system is provided to function as a bidet. In this case, instead of the outlet (60), a corresponding outlet of water is provided, which is directed towards the walls of the bowl. Alternatively or in addition, the system may include a cold water connection, a hot water connection, or a combination thereof.

It will be appreciated that the flush assembly according to the invention can be used not only in an improved sanitary article. Conversely, toilets and bidets can be designed to allow easy installation and removal of a flush assembly and, in particular, a control or switch mechanism that guides the flow of water into the sanitary ware. It will be appreciated that since the bowl and waste assembly according to the invention are located within the body in accordance with the principles of aesthetics, the body can be wall-mounted in any suitable way, or it can be freely installed on the floor, unlike a standard sanitary product where the waste assembly is installed over the bowl or in

- 6 038271 walls. The sanitary ware according to the invention only requires connection to a high pressure water source such as a water supply system and a main drainage system.

FIG. 13a, 13b, 14 and 15 show a toilet (100) according to other embodiments of the invention. The toilet (100) includes a body (112). In this embodiment, the body (112) is integral with the toilet bowl (116), which is preferably a ceramic bowl with a shortened siphon (113).

The bowl (116) is preferably closed with a lid (not shown). The body (112) is designed with an open rear end (114) (most clearly shown in Fig. 13b), which allows the insertion and removal of the drain assembly (118) according to the invention, which can be formed mainly of plastic. Preferably, the toilet bowl (116) is a rimless bowl, although a rimless bowl can also be used. Optionally, a hot water switch (not shown) may be provided to turn on a water heater (not shown) that heats the water before it enters the bowl in embodiments where the sanitary article is a bidet.

The drain assembly of this embodiment, generally designated as pos. (118), includes a water tank (135) and one or two water tanks (130), in each of which a pressure conversion mechanism is installed. Each container (130) includes a first chamber (139) of a smaller cross-section and volume for receiving a small volume of pressurized water, preferably from a water supply network, and a second chamber (134) of a larger cross-section and volume for holding and distributing water to drain from the purpose of draining more water under less pressure. It will be appreciated that the first chamber corresponds to the first chamber (39) of the embodiment of FIG. 5a, and the second chamber to the second chamber (34) of the embodiment of FIG. 5a, both acting in a similar manner. Every second chamber (134) includes an outlet (164) for draining water. The plunger or piston (159) is mounted with the possibility of reciprocating movement in the chamber (134) and is spring-loaded by a cylindrical tension spring (157). The tank (135) contains water for filling the chamber (134) of the larger cross-section of the container.

The drain assembly also includes a drain water supply pipe (160) for moving water into the bowl rinsing bowl (116). In this embodiment, the drain water supply pipe (160) extends to the inner wall of the bowl and cleans it with a stream of water.

The sanitary ware also includes a regulator (120), shown as having an on / off switch (121) for the amount of water to drain to control the direction and amount of water through the drain assembly. The regulator (120) is connected to the manifold (182) (Fig. 15), which is installed in the transition chamber (123), by means of the connecting arm (124) of the manifold (Fig. 13b). The transition chamber (123) is closed by a chamber lid (127). As best shown in FIG. 15 is a rear view of the sanitary ware of FIG. 13a without the tank, the outlets (164) for draining the water go into the transition chamber (123). A drainage water supply pipe (160) extends from the transition chamber (123). Thus, when the transition chamber (123) is closed by the chamber lid (127), a message is formed between the water drain outlets (164) and the water supply pipe (160), which allows the drainage water to flow from the containers (130) into the transition chamber (123 ) and flow from the transition chamber (123) through the water supply pipe (160) to drain the bowl.

The regulator (120) can be any suitable standard switch, preferably a hydraulic switch and / or switch (20) described above with reference to FIG. 11 and 12. A user interface (121) is provided, such as one or two control buttons, so that the user can operate the flush assembly and select the required amount of water to flush. Actuation of the drain assembly by selecting a small amount of water (for example, to drain liquids) by pressing the control button for a predetermined time ensures the flow of water at a pressure sufficient to drain half the amount of water in the container (for example, the pistons move half the length of the second chamber ), while pressing the control button for a long time will drain the entire amount of water in the containers (for example, for draining solid products). Alternatively, draining using a small amount of water can be accomplished by actuating one piston, while draining using the entire amount of water in the containers can be accomplished by actuating both pistons.

FIG. 16a in a schematic partial sectional view of the regulator and FIG. 16b is a rear view of the spout assembly with additional reference to FIG. 15 schematically illustrates a regulator (170) and associated manifold (182) in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The regulator (170) includes a switch (172) for the amount of water, a membrane (174) for determining the height of water in the tank, and a plurality of quick connectors (176) for connecting through the arm (124) of the manifold to the manifold (182). Quick disconnect connectors (176) on the regulator (170) are connected to mating connectors (178) on the arm (124) of the manifold. The arm (124) of the manifold is connected to the water supply network by the inlet connector (180) and to the manifold (182) from the inside of the transition chamber (123) for the purpose of fluid communication. The regulator and the manifold together perform the regulating function.

- 7,038,271 for the direction and amount of water passing through the body of the sanitary ware and, in particular, through the drain assembly. Water from the mains supply or other high pressure water source enters the regulator and passes through a switch and manifold, which directs the water flow along one of several predetermined flow paths, for example, into one container, both containers or a tank. The water amount switch (172) is shown as a spring loaded hydraulic switch, for example as shown in FIG. 11 and 12. Water from the mains supply enters the regulator (170) through the inlet connector (180) and one of the connectors (178). Depending on the state of the water quantity switch (172), the water is directed through one or two quick connectors (176) through the manifold arm (124) and the manifold (182) into one or both containers. In a steady state, the regulator (170) directs water through the manifold (182) and into the tank past the membrane (174) until the tank is full, which forces the membrane (174) to act on a lever (not shown) to prevent additional flow water into the tank. If necessary, one of the connectors (176) provides air to the regulator to release the diaphragm.

Next, with additional reference to FIG. 17, which is a bottom isometric cross-sectional view of a piston flush assembly according to said embodiment, a description of the operation of the flush system of said embodiment of a sanitary article is given. Each piston (159) moves within the second chamber (134) of its container, reciprocating to or from the outlet (164) for draining. In the design shown, there is no need for a hermetic seal on the inner wall of the housing. A one-way valve (159a) is provided in the piston (159) to allow water to pass around the piston to initiate the draining process and to retrace the piston at the end of the draining stage. The piston is supported by a piston rod (161), which is hollow in this embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 17.

When the chamber (134) of the larger cross-section of the container is full, before draining (the upper piston in Fig. 17), the user activates the regulator (120) to perform a complete drain or half drain, as appropriate. When the user presses the control button on the regulator (120), the switch allows high pressure water from the mains (180) to flow into and through the transition chamber (123) using a manifold (182) and into the piston rod (161) to fill the chamber of the smaller cross-section to move the piston (159) in one or both containers (130). Thus, water from the high pressure water source enters the regulator, and water from the regulator passes through the switch and manifold to direct the water flow along one of several predetermined flow paths, for example, into one container, both containers or a tank. The piston (159) is set in motion, overcoming the action of the spring (157), towards the outlet (164) for draining due to the pressure of the water entering the chamber (139) of a smaller cross-section. Drain water flows from the larger chamber (134) through the drain outlet (164) into the transition chamber (123) and into the drain water supply pipe (160) for bowl rinsing and drainage through the siphon (113) to the connector (126) for a siphon.

It will be appreciated that the high water pressure inside the chamber (139) of a smaller cross-section is replaced by a lower pressure acting on the piston (159), which, in turn, acts on a larger volume of water in the chamber (134) at a lower pressure. However, this lower pressure is still high enough to allow a quick and thorough flush in the toilet bowl using less water than standard flush systems.

At the end of the drain cycle (lower piston in FIG. 17), the pistons (159) are moved back to their original standby position due to the tensile force of the tensile coil spring (157). The vacuum created by the retraction of the piston (159) forces the valve (135b) to open, thereby allowing water from the reservoir (135) to the second chamber (134). After the piston (159) has been fully retracted to the standby position, the valve (135b) is closed. The water trapped in the piston housing (130) flows back into the large chamber (134), while tap water from the inlet (180) flows through the regulator into the reservoir until the diaphragm indicates that the reservoir is full. The diaphragm (174) controls the filling of the tank. When the water reaches the set level, the membrane stops the flow of water into the tank.

It will be appreciated that since the outlet pipe (194) from the siphon (113 ') is formed as part of a removable drain assembly, the height of the bottom wall of the outlet pipe can be selected to ensure a quick and efficient drainage of the drainage water, at the same time , preventing the penetration of unpleasant odors into the siphon. See, for example, FIG. 18 which is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a sanitary article with a siphon in accordance with embodiments of the invention. This can be achieved, for example, by using a flexible plate (196) in the siphon outlet pipe, which aligns with the bottom wall of the pipe during drainage and rises to the required height in order to maintain an appropriate water level in the siphon to prevent the penetration of gases and odors into the toilet bowl. ...

The sanitary ware of the invention has been described above in relation to a pressure exchange mechanism including a piston located in a housing between a smaller chamber and a larger chamber. Alternatively, the drain assembly may include two chambers, a first chamber containing a small rotor and holding a first amount of water, and a second chamber containing

- 8 038271 which holds a large rotor and holds more water. In this case, the pressure change mechanism is a common axis on which a small rotor and a large rotor are mounted for rotation. These two chambers can be separated by a fixed wall having an opening for placing an axis.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a limited number of embodiments, it should be appreciated that numerous variations and modifications and other uses can be provided with respect to the invention. It should also be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a description given by way of example only. On the contrary, the invention is limited only by the claims.

Claims (17)

CLAIM 1. A drain assembly of a sanitary article, including at least one drain container containing a first chamber having a first volume and an inlet, and a second chamber having a drain outlet and a second volume that is larger than the volume of the first chamber, the inlet being made connectable to a high pressure water source and receives a first inlet pressurized water quantity from the source; a pressure conversion mechanism located between the first chamber and the second chamber; and a tank; moreover, the first chamber is configured to accommodate the first amount of water received at high pressure from the source; the pressure conversion mechanism separates the first and second chambers; the second chamber is configured to accommodate the second amount of water received from the specified tank; wherein the first amount of water in the first chamber presses, through the pressure conversion mechanism, on the second amount of water in the second chamber in excess of the first amount, pushing it out of the second chamber through the outlet to drain at a pressure below the source pressure at the inlet. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the high pressure water source is a plumbing network. 3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure converting mechanism includes a piston located in the second chamber, acting as a barrier between the first chamber and the second chamber and forcing water from the second chamber to flow out of the drain outlet. 4. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pressure converting mechanism includes two rotors connected by an axle. 5. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the container is arranged to be placed in the body of the sanitary ware. 6. The assembly according to any one of claims 1-5, containing two containers made with the possibility of placement in the body of the sanitary ware. 7. A sanitary ware containing a drain assembly according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein the first chamber is adapted to be connected to the water supply network and receive water from it, the second chamber is adapted to hold water for draining and has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the first chamber; the tank has a one-way valve located between the tank and the second chamber for selective flow of water from the tank to the second chamber; in this case, the drainage unit is driven by water pressure from the water supply network. 8. Sanitary ware according to claim 7, also comprising a body; a bowl located in the specified body; and a drain pipe extending from the drain outlet to the inlet near the top of the bowl; moreover, the drain unit is located in the housing. 9. The sanitary ware according to claim 7 or 8, further including a heating element for heating water in the container prior to dispensing the water into the bowl. 10. A sanitary ware according to any one of claims 7-9, additionally including a regulator with a switch for the amount of water for draining, and the regulator is connected through a connecting arm of the manifold to a manifold, which, in turn, is connected to the first chamber and the tank, to regulate the direction and amount of water flowing through the drain unit. 11. The sanitary ware of claim 10, wherein the manifold is located in a transition chamber having a transition chamber cover; a drain outlet communicates with the transition chamber and a drainage water supply pipe extends from the transition chamber; as a result, when the transition chamber is closed by the chamber lid, a fluid communication is created between the drain outlet and the drain water supply pipe, thus allowing the water to drain - 9 038271 enter the transition chamber from the container and flow out of the transition chamber through the water supply pipe for draining in order to rinse the bowl. 12. The sanitary ware of claim 9 or 10 further including a user interface for a user to operate the regulator. 13. A method for washing a bowl of a sanitary ware according to any one of claims 8-12, comprising the steps of introducing a first volume of pressurized water from a high-pressure water supply network into a first chamber of a drain assembly having a first volume; a second volume of water, exceeding the first volume of water, is introduced from a tank of a sanitary product into a second chamber of said at least one drain container; applying pressure to a second volume of water that is larger than the first volume by a first volume of water in the first chamber by means of a pressure conversion mechanism; distributing the drainage water at a lower pressure by means of the pressure exerted by the pressure conversion mechanism on the second volume of water from the second chamber of the sink assembly to the bowl of the sanitary ware to rinse the bowl; and refilling the second chamber of the sink assembly with water for draining. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of introducing water includes introducing a first volume of water from the plumbing network into a first chamber of the container; the step of applying pressure includes applying pressure with water in a first chamber to a piston mounted in a second chamber of the container, the second chamber holding water to drain and has a larger cross-sectional area and a larger volume than the first chamber, and the piston acts as a barrier between the first chamber and a second camera; the dispensing step includes distributing the lower pressure drainage water from the second chamber of the container through the drain outlet to a bowl for bowl rinsing. 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the refilling step includes sucking water from the water reservoir through a one-way valve located between the reservoir and the second chamber of the container. 16. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, also comprising stages, which provide the flow of water from the high pressure water supply network in the regulator; provide the passage of water from the regulator through the switch and the manifold to direct the flow of water along one of several predetermined flow paths, which are selected from the paths leading to one container, two containers or the specified tank. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of draining a selected amount of water by activating a user interface on the regulator.